Anyone who rents or leases property will have horror stories to tell about certain tenants. They could talk about the tenant who painted all the walls and ceilings black, only to be topped by the tenant who let chickens run loose in the house. And everyone will have plenty of stories about tenants who don’t think it’s necessary to pay rent.
Evictions Cost Money
Evicting a problem tenant is expensive. Typically, there will be the loss of several months rent, the costs of repairs to the property and legal expenses. All of this could easily wipe out a year’s profit from the unit. This is a serious problem for all landlords, especially for those who only rent out one or two apartments and depend upon the rent income for living expenses.
The Eviction Process
The eviction process must be followed; it’s illegal to evict a tenant without a court order. Landlords can’t change the locks, turn off the electricity, put the tenant’s belongings in the yard or do anything else to “encourage” the tenant to leave.
Receiving assistance from property law services in St. Louis, MO can assure that the eviction proceeds as smoothly as possible.
Non-payment of Rent
- For non-payment, the tenant must be given notice and a few days to pay.
- The landlord must submit an affidavit to the court and receive a court date.
Nuisance or Holdovers
- Those who are creating a nuisance or staying past the expiration of their lease must be given a 30-day notice to vacate or comply with the terms of the lease.
- The landlord must submit a Landlord’s Complaint and wait for a court date after the tenant is served.
Illegal Activity
- If the premises are being used for illegal activity, such as drugs, the landlord does not need to give notice, but can immediately go to the court.
Court Verdict
- If the landlord is successful, the tenant has ten days to appeal.
- An eviction date will be scheduled.
When you need experienced property law services in St. Louis, MO, contact the law firm of Van Dillen & Flood P.C. Whether you need a lease reviewed or want to evict a nightmare tenant, an attorney familiar with the complexities of property law services in St. Louis, MO can get the job done. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation and the next steps.
